Greenville SC Thyroid Clinic Answers - Are My Hormones Causing Insomnia?

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night? If you find yourself tossing and turning, wondering why you can’t get the rest you need, your hormones could be to blame. Hormones play a big role in how well we sleep, and when they are out of balance, it can lead to insomnia. Let’s talk about how hormones can affect your sleep and why working with a functional medicine practitioner is the best way to get back to feeling rested.

How Do Hormones Affect Sleep?

Hormones are like tiny messengers in your body that control how different systems work. Some of these hormones help you feel awake, while others help you feel sleepy. If your hormones aren’t balanced, it can disprupt this cycle and make falling asleep more complicated.

For example, cortisol, the stress hormone, should be low at night to help you relax and sleep. But if you’re stressed or your body is making too much cortisol, it can keep you awake. On the other hand, progesterone is a hormone that helps you feel calm and sleepy, especially for women. If your progesterone levels are low, it can make it harder to fall asleep.

Thyroid and Sleep

Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes hormones that control your energy levels. If your thyroid is overactive, it can make you feel restless and anxious, which can cause sleep problems. This condition is called hyperthyroidism. If your thyroid isn’t making enough hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism, it can cause fatigue during the day, but oddly, still make it hard to sleep at night. Both conditions can lead to insomnia if not properly managed.

Menopause and Insomnia

For women, menopause is another big cause of hormonal changes that can lead to insomnia. During menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, and this can make it harder to get a good night's sleep. Night sweats and hot flashes, which are common during menopause, can wake you up during the night as well.

Why Work with a Functional Medicine Practitioner?

If your hormones are causing insomnia, working with a functional medicine practitioner is the best way to find relief. Instead of just treating the symptom of sleeplessness, a functional medicine practitioner looks at the root cause of your hormone imbalance. 

They will take the time to understand your entire health story, including diet, stress levels, and lifestyle factors that may be affecting your sleep. With a personalized approach, they’ll create a plan that helps restore balance to your hormones and gets you sleeping soundly again.

If you’re struggling with insomnia and think your hormones might be the cause, seek out an experienced functional medicine practitioner.